Describing the Universe

IN TERMS OF TIME, DISTANCE, AND ORGANIZATION

Describing the Universe

IN TERMS OF TIME, DISTANCE, AND ORGANIZATION

What is Astronomy?

Astronomy is the scientific study of celestial objects, space, and the universe.Astronomy is important because it helps us understand how our planet functions in relation to the universe that surrounds us.Also, buy studying the motions of objects in our solar system, we can keep track of objects that may one day impact the Earth, which may cause lethal climatic changes.We may also benefit from studying more about the sun, and learning about how it may help us have a greater power source.

Objectives

1.Identify the visible and non visible parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.

ASTRONOMY VOCABULARY

Universe

All existing matter and energy ncluding the earth, the galaxies, and the contents of intergalactic space

Light Year

A light year is a unit of length equal to just under 10 trillion kilometers and the distance in which light travels.

Astronomical unit

The average distance between the earth and sun; approximately 150 million kilometers.

Universe

All existing matter and energy ncluding the earth, the galaxies, and the contents of intergalactic space

Light Year

A light year is a unit of length equal to just under 10 trillion kilometers and the distance in which light travels.

Astronomical unit

The average distance between the earth and sun; approximately 150 million kilometers.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

All of the frequencies or wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.

Refracting Telescope

A telescope that uses a set of lenses to gather and focus light from distant objects.

Reflecting Telescope

A telescope that uses a curved mirror to gather and focus light from distant objects.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

All of the frequencies or wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.

Refracting Telescope

A telescope that uses a set of lenses to gather and focus light from distant objects.

Reflecting Telescope

A telescope that uses a curved mirror to gather and focus light from distant objects.

DESCRIBE THE ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM

The Electromagnetic spectrum is all the frequencies or wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation and can be classified into two categories, visible E.M Radiation and Non visible E.M radiation.They are both waves of electric and magnetic fields that oscillate at fixed frequencies and wavelengths and maintain a speed of 300,000 km per second.Visible radiation can be seen by humans, and Invisible radiation can't be seen but it can be detected by special instruments.If a wave length surpasses the longest wave lengths which are orange and red it becomes invisible.If the wave length is also shorter than the shortest wave lengths which are blue and ultra violet it also becomes invisible.

COMPARE REFRACTING AND REFLECTING TELESCOPES

Refracting and Reflecting telescopes help us keep a view of objects that are either to far or to small for us to see.They are both classified into a category of telescopes called optical telescopes that are purely developed to collect visible light.Although these two share many similar characteristics they certainly have their differences.A refracting telescope uses a set of lens to bend light and is much more problematic because the lens focuses on different colors of light at different distances.As opposed to reflecting telescopes which use a curved mirror to gather and focus light from distant objects and reflect it to a second mirror which then reflects the light into the eye piece and magnifies and focuses the image.

SPACE BASE TELESCOPES

Both Invisible and Space telescopes collect electromagnetic radiation that provided scientist with information about objects in space.Invisible telescopes are used to detect Invisible radiation such as radio waves, gamma rays , x-rays, and infrared rays.The only problem with using invisible telescopes is that earths atmosphere acts as a shield against many forms of electromagnetic radiation.Water vapor prevents gamma rays , x-rays, and most infrared and ultraviolet rays from reaching earths surface,which is why scientist have come up with space telescopes.An example of a space telescope would be the Hubble Space Telescope.The Hubble Space Telescope was launched into space to collect electromagnetic radiation from objects in space.Another example of a space telescope would be the Chandra X-Ray Observatory.The Chandra X-Ray Observatory makes clear images using X-rays from objects in space,such as the remnants of exploded stars.